Redemption Draweth Nigh

Zec 8:4-5 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

Every now and then I like to pull a verse from scripture and just ponder on it, trying to get a picture of what is actually happening. This can be good but it also can be dangerous if the scripture is out of context, tossing the full purpose of God’s Word. Zechariah 8 is full of spiritual truth for us believers living in the day and time of this hour. Ask yourself as you read God’s Word, “What are you saying to ME, Lord and is there something I can do for you today?” Learning the character of God is really rewarding and such an eye opener for such a sinner as I am. How are you doing today? Are you living to die or are you dying to live?

As I read Zechariah 8:5,  I just smiled. This verse makes me happy! Children playing with one another in the streets can make for a happy time for everyone. Recess is part of school and learning. Rest is part of working and death is part of living.

Visiting Israel for the first time, I couldn’t contain the whole but I tried. I wanted to go everywhere, learn everything and remember it all! Impossible! I tried but kept losing myself in the midst of thoughts and watching people especially the young girls and boys playing in the streets. I wondered if they would ever hear that their Messiah had ALREADY come and died for them. If they do hear, will their parents allow them to know truth? Who will tell them?

The children pushed each other, laughing and running paying no attention to their leader, just like American children. Children are children regardless where they are playing. They depend on the adult to educate them, feed them, give them a place to rest at night and teach them about religion.

Read with me the following verse,

 Zec 8:9 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

The prophet spoke to them of their restoration and if the parent didn’t share with the children, the children suffered. In verse 15 “….and to the house of Judah, fear ye not.”

Zec 8:16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

And then in chapter 9, verse 9 ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

There it is plain and simple……Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem! They have had the truth all this time, but reject our Savior as the Messiah. Getting to know our Lord through the Old Testament is exciting. Talking about it to others should be as exciting as well. We should be like the boys and girls playing in the streets, having a grand ole’ time enjoying each other’s company, but woe is me…..it is the opposite isn’t it? For those of you in other countries who read this blog, I write, “lift up your head. Your Redeemer draweth nigh!” He is returning to this earth. Allow Him to be your Savior TODAY, and be caught up with Him upon His return for His saints. Join us in the streets as one in Christ, not separated by religion but brought together by the blood of Jesus Christ, YOUR Savior. It is quite simple according to His Word:

1.      Admit that you are sinner. Ro 3:23-25 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God  

2.      Believe in your heart that Christ died for you. HE LOVES YOU! Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

3.      Confess your sins before Him. He already knows but He needs for you to confess them. Ro 10:9-12 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

4.       Call on Him to save you, right now! Verse 13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If you are a believer, pray for those who do not know truth. Pray for those who read this blog searching for truth!

Until next time, Lord willing…

Sharon